In a perhaps unsurprising update to fans of the Cincinnati Bengals, there is finally some clarity on the injury situation surrounding All-Pro edge defender Trey Hendrickson. The four-time Pro Bowler has been out with a hip injury since October, last playing in Week 8 against the Jets.
Hendrickson’s situation has been murky for a while, with no clear timeline on his return available during this time. However, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport provided a long-awaited update on Tuesday, posting on X/Twitter that Hendrickson underwent core muscle surgery on Tuesday morning, effectively ending his season. He should be recovered in about six weeks, but given that there are only four weeks left in the NFL regular season and the Bengals are on the verge of being officially eliminated from playoff contention, Hendrickson’s season is over.
On the year, Hendrickson has 16 tackles, four sacks, a forced fumble, and a pass defensed in seven games. When he was on the field, he looked every bit like his dominant self. But now, with his season over, his future in Cincinnati is uncertain.
The Cincinnati Bengals May Have Mishandled Hendrickson’s Trade Market
GettyCINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 22: Trey Hendrickson #91 of the Cincinnati Bengals takes the field prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium on December 22, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images)
Prior to the season, Hendrickson was the subject of intense trade speculation. He was on an expiring contract that paid him about $20 million below the top of the edge rusher market, a ridiculous underpay given his production in recent seasons. Over a two-year stretch from 2023 to 2024, Hendrickson had 89 tackles, 35 sacks, five forced fumbles, and nine passes defensed.
There was a strong argument that Hendrickson was the most productive pass rusher in the league during those two seasons, and he was seeking a new contract. The Bengals didn’t want to pay him, and the contract dispute grew so intense that Hendrickson refused to report to training camp and even left the state at one point.
The Bengals refused to trade Hendrickson at the time and eventually agreed to a revised contract. No additional years were tacked on, so Hendrickson is still on an expiring contract. But he got more money and guarantees, numbers that brought him closer in line to the top of the edge defender market.
There was additional trade interest surrounding Hendrickson at the trade deadline, but the Bengals were asking for a crazy high price before his injury ended any chances of a trade. Now they risk Hendrickson walking in free agency for nothing in return. If he does, that would be a massive mishandling of one of the league’s premier pass rushers.
The Cincinnati Bengals Continue to Fail to Close Out Games
The turnover-prone fourth quarter in Buffalo dropped the Bengals to 4-9 on the season, a far cry from their expectations. Star QB Joe Burrow missing most of the year with a toe injury didn’t help, but Cincinnati let late leads slip away in losses to the Bills, Jets, and Bears.
The AFC North is a wreck this season, with the division-leading Steelers sitting at just 7-6. There was a path for Cincinnati to climb their way back into the race, but failing to close out fourth quarters has all but officially eliminated them from contention.
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